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Giles may add to mix at second

Free agent Marcus Giles, playing for San Diego last season, is a career .277 hitter.
(Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press
)

Creating competition will be a common thread as the Rockies iron out their final roster wrinkles before the start of spring training.

Free agent Marcus Giles is emerging as a strong possibility to push rookie Jayson Nix for the second base job. Josh Towers and, to a lesser degree, Victor Zambrano are targets to provide pitching depth.

Giles' preference is to sign with the Rockies.

"We have had ongoing talks. We are going to do everything we can to make something happen in Colorado," said agent Joe Bick, who represents Giles. "There are other teams involved, but Colorado represents a great opportunity."

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd has gone to great lengths to explain how comfortable he is entering spring training with in-house candidates at second base. But two — Ian Stewart and Jeff Baker — are attempting a position switch, and Clint Barmes and Omar Quintanilla are viewed more as utilitymen. Nix is considered a defensive whiz, particularly on double plays, but Giles could provide protection if Nix struggles offensively in Tucson.

Giles lost his starting job in San Diego last season after hitting just .229 (four homers, 39 RBIs) in 116 games. Todd Walker, with Oakland briefly last season, is another option.

After guaranteeing more than $4 million to pitchers Kip Wells and Mark Redman, the Rockies are looking to add potential swingmen on minor-league deals.

Towers has been on the Rockies' radar since July. They remain in contact with Zam-brano, but have indicated there is another pitcher they are moving more quickly to sign.

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